Racing through history

Over 30 years of collaboration between McConaghy Boats and Gurit has resulted in a long line of successful projects.

For over 50 years, McConaghy Boats have been building carbon fibre race boats that stand the test of time, while exposed to some of the world’s toughest racing conditions. Names like Alfa Romeo and Wild Oats are synonymous with line honours in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race, but take your pick of race circuits or events – Volvo Round the World, TransPac 52s, America’s Cup… McConaghy Boats features heavily. With over 150 race yachts over 30ft under their belt, the builder also takes its high tech and innovative approach to luxury motor yachts, hovercrafts, and composite components for deep sea and space applications.

TO FINISH A RACE FIRST, FIRST YOU HAVE TO FINISH.

Gurit has been at McConaghy’s side for over 30 years, supplying high performing composite materials and structural engineering design to many of their builds. This includes the latest in a long line of successful boats designed by Reichel Pugh and built by McConaghys, a collaboration which also stretches back to the 1990s with early 50ft IOR yachts Fujino and Abracadabra. Vasara was launched in May for an American client. She is a 56ft performance cruiser, built as a race yacht but with an extensive interior. Gurit Corecell™ M Foam, SE84LV carbon prepreg, Spabond™ adhesives and Ampreg™ laminating systems have been used throughout the build.

Vasara, the latest Reichel Pugh design to be launched by McConaghy Boats

Image courtesy of McConaghy Boats

“At McConaghy Boats we are passionate about what we do, with a focus on delivering the highest quality work to our customers. Whether it’s a yacht or other component, it’s usually about performance so weight saving and innovation come into play with all our projects,” explains Eric Desjardins, General Manager at McConaghy. “We know that Gurit takes the same approach with its products and services, so we have developed a long term relationship with the team there. They understand what we’re trying to achieve, know our people and work closely with us, and supply consistently reliable and high performing materials to our projects.”

Eric Desjardins, General Manager of McConaghy Boats

Image courtesy of McConaghy Boats

The McConaghy Group encompasses Australian and Chinese manufacturing bases combining factory areas of 22,000 sqm, and over 350 staff across both sites, and is supported by a strong dealer network across the globe.

McConaghy Boats facility in Australia

Image courtesy of McConaghy Boats

https://www.mcconaghyboats.com/

Extract from June 2022 Gurit Marine Newsletter